Tim Burton's just released 3D version of Alice in Wonderland is only the latest in a long line of films inspired by Lewis Carroll's classic 1865 story. Just this past weekend, I watched the 1933 version. It's an enjoyable film.
However, what struck me was the number of actors who appeared in the 1933 version who had also appeared in a film or stage production with Louise Brooks.
Among them were Richard Arlen (Rolled Stockings, Beggars of Life) as the Cheshire Cat, Leon Errol (Louie the 14th) as Uncle Gilbert, W.C. Fields (It's the Old Army Game) as Humpty-Dumpty, Skeets Gallagher (It Pays the Advertise) as the Rabbit, Cary Grant (When You're in Love) as Mock Turtle, Raymond Hatton (Now We're in the Air) as Mouse, and Ford Sterling (The American Venus, The Show-Off) as White King. And Louise Fazenda, who played the White Queen, was once mistaken for Louise Brooks at the time Just Another Blonde was released in Los Angeles.
Of course, such overlap is not surprising considering the 1933 version of Alice in Wonderland was an ensemble production. . . . anyways, I think Brooks would have made a great Alice! Anyone interested in watching this version can purchase it online.
1 comment:
I'm sure you remember that Louise herself said that the only role she ever wished to play but wasn't suited for was Alice. This is one of only a few things on which I disagree with her.
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